Town of North Stonington
Board of Selectmen Meeting
New Town Hall Conference Room
September 27, 2016
7:00 PM
MINUTES
1.
Call to Order/ Roll Call-7:00 PM with First Selectman Murphy and Selectmen
Donahue and Mullane present.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comments and Questions-Everyone agreed that the NoSto
Festival on
Saturday was great. Excellent attendance.
4. Chester Maine Bridle Path-Attorney Eppinger was in attendance
as well as numerous
residents of Chester Maine Road. There was a brief explanation
of events and research
to date, path clearing, land records research, etc. General Discussion on moving forward.
Many residents have concerns on what the
public will do when path is opened; trash trespassing, noise. Who will oversee and
monitor? It was suggested that the Town return the path to a homeowners association
or each abutting landowner. It would be the homeowners action to begin the process of
a petition to have town meeting action on the return of land. First Selectman Murphy
stated the town can not bear the burden of cost for surveys or legal work on deed
transfers. Work on trail will be suspended until issue resolved.
5. School Modernization Committee
RFP Results for the Construction Manager-Mike Urgo gave
an overview of
selection process by the Committee. The Committee recommends
Downes
Construction. A motion was made by First Selectman Murphy and seconded by
Selectman Donahue to begin negotiations with Downes Construction on a contract
for the Project, carrying. 3-0
RFP for Environmental Services Discussion-Table for
next meeting.
6. Center for Emergency Services Update-Bob Shabunia told the
Board that design
documents are not yet complete and there were numerous pending changes to the plans.
He felt the Committee had communication concerns with the Architect. They were also having
difficulty with the IT and Radio system designs since Brian Elias is no longer providing input
to the Project. Joint meeting on status will be planned.
7. Correspondence
8. Minutes-A motion was made by Selectman Donahue and seconded
by Selectman
Murphy to approve the minutes of August 23, 2016, carrying. 3-0
A motion was made by Selectman Donahue and seconded by Selectman
Murphy to approve the minutes of September 13, 2016, carrying. 3-0
9. FY2016-2017 Budget –Referendum Results, Additional Revenue
Projections; Selectmen’s recommendations-
September 20, 2016
Referendum Results
The September 20, 2016 Special Town Meeting reconvened at 8:07 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 by First Selectman Shawn Murphy following the Referendum, the results
were read by the Referendum Moderator Deborah Barnes:
1. Shall the Town of North Stonington approve the estimates and recommendations of the Board of Finance with respect to the annual General Government budget
including Redemption of Debt for fiscal year July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017, in the amount of
$ 5,134,170 and make specific appropriations and authorize expenditures in connection therewith as appear advisable?
291 YES 645 NO
Advisory Question 1A
If you voted NO to Question 1, do you feel the budget is?
346 too low 309 too high
Advisory Question 1B
If you voted TOO LOW to Advisory Question 1A, should the $40,000 amount removed from the Highway Labor line item be restored?
38 yes 110 no
Advisory Question 1C
If you voted TOO LOW to Advisory Question 1A, should the $50,000 amount removed from the Town Road Maintenance line item be restored?
368 yes 111 no
Advisory Question 1D
If you voted TOO LOW to Advisory Question 1A, should the $15,000 amount removed from the Abatement/Demolition of Town Buildings line item be restored?
298 yes 172 no
2. Shall the Town of North Stonington approve the estimates and recommendations of the Board of Finance with respect to the annual Board of Education budget
for fiscal year July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017, in the amount of $ 12,875,068 and make specific appropriations and to authorize expenditures in connection therewith as appear advisable?
505 YES 425 NO
Advisory Question 2
If you voted NO to Question 2, do you feel the budget is?
35 too low 392 too high
3. Shall the Town of North Stonington approve the estimates and recommendations of the Board of Finance with respect to the annual Capital budget for fiscal year
July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 in the amount of $ 882,923 and make specific appropriations and authorize expenditures in connection therewith as appear advisable?
280 YES 598 NO
Advisory Question 3A
If you voted NO to Question 3, do you feel the budget is?
33 too low 581 to high
Advisory Question 3B
If you voted TOO HIGH to Advisory Question 3A, should the $425,000 amount included in the Capital budget as pre-payment for the Emergency Services Center loan be
reduced?
454 yes 151 no
A motion was made by Selectman Mullane for the Selectmen to forward a letter to the Board of Finance with some changes in revenue recommendations, and requests
for reinstatement of previously cut line items, seconded by Selectman Murphy, carrying. 3-0.
10. Private Road Maintenance-First Selectman Murphy provided a draft ordinance and
private road list for the Selectmen to review. No action taken Board will get back to the First Selectmen with recommendations.
11. Tax Refunds-A motion was made by Selectman Mullane and seconded by Selectman
Murphy to approve the following tax refunds presented by the Tax Collector, carrying. 3-0
Donna Maine for the Estate of Donald Jones $9.07
Karissa Roberts $100.31
David Evans $ 67.58
12. Public Comments and Questions-None presented
13. Adjournment-11:45 PM
